Resistance exercise device

ABSTRACT

A resistance exercise device comprising a first elastic resistance member, a knee attachment having a first attachment mechanism for attachment to said first elastic member and a second attachment mechanism for attachment to a user&#39;s distal thigh, a foot attachment having a first attachment mechanism for attachment to said first elastic member, a second attachment mechanism for attachment to a user&#39;s distal foot, in which one of the attachment mechanisms for attachment to the first elastic member provides a variable length attachment; and in which the exercise device is configured and arranged to provide an upwards force on the user&#39;s foot when worn by a user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional application No.61/549,303 which was filed Oct. 20, 2011, of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to resistance exercise equipmentand, more particularly, to leg exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND ART

Use of elastic resistance as a form of exercise is widely known. Suchexercise requires an elastic member and mechanism for engaging a bodyportion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,258 is directed to anexercising device containing a two loops for engaging a users hands anda third loop for engaging a foot, having an elastic member between handloops and foot loop. U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,609 discloses a gluteal andthigh muscle exercise system containing a strap for engaging a user'sfoot and connected to an elastic member which is attached to a handlebar.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portions orsurfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for purposes ofillustration and not by way of limitation, the present embodimentsbroadly provide an elastic resistance exercise device (20) comprising: aknee attachment cuff (22) having a first sheath configured to engage auser's lower thigh region, a wrap-around thigh strap containing hook andloop fastening surfaces (38, 42); a foot attachment cuff (26) having asecond sheath configured to engage a user's foot, a wrap-around footstrap containing hook and loop fastening surfaces (41, 44), a firstelastic member (24 a) configured to pull the foot cuff upwards when wornby a user.

The exercise device may further contain an elastic member fasteningmechanisms (32 a, 32 b, 33 a, 33 b) arranged on the thigh cuff or footcuff The fastening mechanism may be a hook, carabiner, universal clasp,or an irreversible attachment through sewn threads. The exercise devicemay further contain an elastic member adjustment mechanism (65, 66).

The first and second sheath may comprise a fabric or neoprene. The firstand second sheath may also be made of an antimicrobial material.

The exercise device may further contain a second elastic member (24 b).The second elastic member may have a spring constant different than thefirst elastic member. The exercise device may be provided with aplurality of elastic members of differing spring constants. Elasticmembers of differing spring constant may be distinguished by differentcolors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side exploded view of a first embodiment exercise device.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the first embodiment worn by a user.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment exercise device being wornby a user.

FIG. 6 is a close up view of a fastener in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a close up view of a fastener in a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a fourth embodiment having a stiff foot cuff.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like referencenumerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portionsor surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing FIGures, as suchelements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained bythe entire written specification, of which this detailed description isan integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intendedto be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion,degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considereda portion of the entire written description of this invention. As usedin the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”,“left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbialderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”,etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure asthe particular drawing FIGure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms“inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of asurface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, asappropriate.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof,provided is a resistance leg exercise device, a first embodiment ofwhich is generally indicated at 20. Resistance exercise device 20 isconfigured to be worn by a user wishing to exercise his soleus andgastrocnemius muscles (calf muscles). Device 20 adds physical resistanceto plantar flexion of a user's foot through his/her ankle joint. Asshown in the side and front exploded views FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, device 20generally includes knee attachment 22, elastic members 24 a and 24 b,and foot attachment 26.

Knee attachment 22, also called a thigh cuff, is primarily made of anelongated rectangular piece of soft fabric, such as a polyester andcotton blend. Thigh cuff 22 has a length generally equal to thecircumference of an adult lower thigh, such as 10 to 25 inches, and awidth equal to about three inches. Thigh cuff 22 can also be made out ofrubber, neoprene foam, vinyl, or other similar flexible materials. Thighcuff 22 contains hook and loop (i.e. Velcro) material section 38arranged on the outer surface of a first end as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Complementary hook and loop section 42 is arranged on the oppositesurface and opposite end of thigh cuff 22 as hook and loop section 38.

Two fasteners 32 a and 32 b are arranged on the outer left and rightsurfaces of thigh cuff 22 as shown. Each fastener 32 a and 32 b have ahook portion 35 a and 35 b respectively.

Elongated elastic members 24 a and 24 b are generally identical andcontain upper loops 48 a and 48 b, and lower loops 49 a and 49 b.Elastic members 24 a and 24 b are made of tubular rubber, but may alsobe made of any similar elastic material. The materials used to makeelastic members 24 a and 24 b may be selectively made of materialshaving differing elastic moduli so as to produce the resistance desired.The elastic moduli may be linear or nonlinear. Loops 48 a, 48 b, 49 a,49 b are made of metal, but may also be made of plastic or anymechanically similar material.

Foot attachment 26, also called foot cuff, is generally similar to thighcuff 22. Foot cuff 26 is generally made out of an elongated rectangularpiece of flexible fabric, such as a polyester cotton blend. Foot cuff 26contains hook and loop section 41 on the outer surface of a first end.Complementary hook and loop section 44 is arranged on the oppositesurface and opposite end of foot cuff 26 as section 41. Foot cuff 26 isabout 6 to 15 inches in length, and about 4 inches in width.

Foot cuff 26 contains fastener 34 a arranged on the outer left surfaceof foot cuff 25 and fastener 34 b arranged on right outer surface offoot cuff 26.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show assembled front views of device 20 in an activelyused configuration by user 51. Loop portions 48 a, 48 b, 49 a, 49 b ofelastic members 24 a and 24 b are attached to corresponding fasteners 32a, 32 b, 33 a, and 34 b. For example, upper loop 48 a is attached toupper left hook 35 a and lower hook 49 a is attached to lower leftfastener 34 a. Similarly, upper loop 48 b is attached to upper left hook35 b and lower hook 49 b is attached to lower left fastener 34 b.

When using device 20, a user tightly wraps thigh cuff 22 around his orher thigh, making sure hook and loop section 42 are arranged over hookand loop section 38 as shown. Additionally, a user would wrap foot cuff26 around one of user's feet such that hook and loop section 44 isarranged over hook and loop section 41. The lengths of elastic members24 a and 24 b are configured to be shorter than a typical adult's lowerleg length such that when device 20 is properly worn, elastic members 24a and 24 b are stretched.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, since elastic members 24 a and 24b are stretched, user foot 52 is pulled upwards in a dorsi flexiondirection about user 51's ankle. A user now can flex his or her calfmuscles in order to press his or her foot downwards in a plantar flexiondirection. After fully flexing his or her foot downwards, user 51, whilestill countering the elastic member force, may slowly allow his or herfoot to return upwards. This process is repeated, providing the userwith a calf muscle workout.

Alternatively, after wearing device 20, a user may go running, or takepart in other physical activity, while device 20 continually providesresistance to the user's calf muscles.

FIG. 6 shows a close up view of fastener 35 a. Fastener 35 a has loopsection 54 which is used for mounting faster 35 a on knee attachment 22.A fabric section of knee attachment 22 is passed through hole 56 in loopsection 54 for making a secure connection. Attached to loop portion 54is neck 57 which is connected to hook portion 58. Flexible latch 61 ismounted on hook portion 58 as shown and creates a locking loop forengaging a loop of one of elastic members 24. Fastener 35 a is alsocalled a carabiner.

FIG. 7 shows snap buckle 62 which which is used in an alternativeembodiment by replacing fastener 35 a. Buckle 62 contains female portion65 which is mounted to knee attachment 22. Buckle 62 also contains maleportion 66 which is attached to elastic band 67. Elastic band 67replaces elastic member 24. Male portion 66 and female portion 65 can beplaced in reversible locking engagement. Additionally, elastic band 67is adjustably arranged through holes 68 a and 68 b. The length ofelastic member 67 between fastener male portion 66 and the terminal endof member 67 attached to either thigh cuff 22 or foot cuff 26 may beadjusted by weaving elastic member 67 through the holes of fastener maleportion 66 such that a desired length between thigh cuff 22 and footcuff 26 is achieved.

FIG. 5. shows additional embodiment resistance exercise device 120.Exercise device 120 has a knee attachment 122 and foot attachment 124similar to exercise device 20's knee attachment 22 and foot attachment24. However, elastic member 124 is a continuous loop which passesthrough both the knee attachment and foot attachment. Elastic member 124does not contain fastener loops.

Other fastener mechanisms may be used such as a carabiner, universalclasp, or an irreversible attachment through sewn threads.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment in which foot cuff 71 comprises stiffportion 72 and wrap around strap 74. Strap 74 is secured with hook andloop fasteners. In this embodiment, the flat stiff surface of the footcuff offers less strain on a user's foot.

While a preferred form of the elastic resistance exercise apparatus hasbeen shown and described, and several modifications thereof discussed,persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that variousadditional changes may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, as defined and differentiated by the following claim.

1. A resistance exercise device comprising: a first elastic resistance member a knee attachment comprising: a first attachment mechanism for attachment to said first elastic member a second attachment mechanism for attachment to a user's distal thigh a foot attachment comprising: a first attachment mechanism for attachment to said first elastic member a second attachment mechanism for attachment to a user's distal foot; wherein one of said attachment mechanisms for attachment to said first elastic member provides a variable length attachment; and wherein said exercise device is configured and arranged to provide an upwards force on said user's foot when worn by a user.
 2. A resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said foot attachment mechanism comprises a hook for attachment to shoelaces.
 3. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee attachment and foot attachment comprise fabric.
 4. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee attachment and foot attachment comprise neoprene.
 5. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee attachment and foot attachment comprise an antimicrobial material.
 6. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a second elastic resistance member.
 7. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second elastic resistance member has a spring constant different than said first elastic resistance member.
 8. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said elastic resistance members having a different spring constant are a different color.
 9. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee to elastic member attachment is selected from the group of: an attachment clip, a buckle, an attachment adapter, a carabiner, a loop, an o-ring, a hook, and a cord closure.
 10. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee attachment further comprises a wrap-around thigh strap containing hook and loop fastening surfaces.
 11. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said knee attachment has two attachments for a first and second elastic resistance member configured and arranged on opposite sides of a user's leg.
 12. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said device comprises a sweat absorbing substance.
 13. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said foot attachment has a rigid bottom surface for engaging a user's foot.
 14. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is selected from the group of: a rubber, a spring, or a nylon.
 15. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastic member has a non-linear spring coefficient.
 16. The resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said foot attachment comprises a pocket shaped member for surrounding a user's foot.
 17. An elastic resistance exercise device comprising: a knee attachment means comprising: a first sheath configured to engage a user's lower thigh region, a wrap-around thigh strap containing hook and loop fastening surfaces, a foot attachment means comprising: a second sheath configured to engage a user's foot a wrap-around foot strap containing hook and loop fastening surfaces, a first elastic member configured to pull said foot attachment means upwards when worn by a user.
 18. The elastic resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 17, and further comprising a elastic member length adjustment mechanism.
 19. The elastic resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and second sheath comprise a fabric.
 20. The elastic resistance exercise device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and second sheath comprise neoprene. 